Things To Consider When Living Off The Grid

5 Things To Consider When Choosing Life Off The
Grid

Going off the grid is an entire lifestyle change
that requires massive amounts of dedication and self-education. One online
survival guide estimates that an average household in America uses almost 9,000
kilowatt-hours of electricity and 144,000 gallons of water in one year.
Going from this average to disconnecting from the electrical grid has some
unexpected consequences. The five most important things to consider for life
off the grid are communications, accessibility of goods and services, finding
the right land, cooking skills and fellowship.

Communications

In today’s world, we have become accustomed to
instant communication with people anywhere in the world. Nearly everyone has
access to the internet and mobile phones. Shifting from this type of modern
technology to off the grid life can be a little bit unnerving at first. Going
off grid means that using FaceBook or sending a text message requires going
into town or to a neighbor’s house. There is no need to completely socially
isolate yourself, but it will take time to adjust to a life without instant
communication.

Accessibility of Goods and Services

The main reason off-grid living requires
extensive preparation is because this lifestyle limits the accessibility of
most modern-day good and services. Virtually all grocery and convenience stores
have moved away from barter and only accept Federal Reserve U.S. dollar bills
in exchange for goods. If you are completely off-grid and rarely utilizing the
monetary system, then it may take a few extra steps to purchase items. You will
have to consider your family’s needs for health care services, emergency
response services and convenience needs to determine how off-grid you are
willing to go.

Finding the Right Land

The most important factor you need to consider
when picking a piece of land to survive on is the availability of reliable,
fresh water. A wooded area is ideal because it provides for privacy, firewood
and recreational needs. For long-term livestock and gardening needs, you will
need a large, sunny, open space. It’s always crucial to research and understand
the area’s zoning and building restrictions because laws vary depending on
where you are. In many places, a resident is not allowed to build any
structures, dig ditches or other projects without approval.

Cooking Skills

Modern-day convenience allows for take-out
nights, frozen meals, prepackaged lunch meat, ready-to-drink milk and amazing
products that would simply be unavailable living an independent grid-free life.
Such luxuries must be sacrificed, or at least minimized, to survive.
Additionally, honing skills like cooking will not be optional. You will have to
learn to prepare, cook and store your own harvest.

Fellowship

Though modern-day propaganda makes off-grid
individuals out to be social outcasts or self-proclaimed loners, the benefits
of fellowship with like-minded people are innumerable. When living off the
grid, neighbors can become vital assets that help you survive and aid in
emergencies. Together, you can share knowledge, skills, equipment and barter
for goods. Most importantly, having fellowship with like-minded people will
provide you with the social interaction that every human craves. An estimated
200,000 people across the United States have chosen to live off the grid You don’t have to be alone to go off the grid.